Chapter 7
Baek Ri-paehyeok and Jang Seok-ryang didn't leave the room right away. They suppressed their presence as much as possible and settled into the adjacent chamber for a moment. And they all heard it.
"This matter won't end until Grandfather accepts me."
Jang Seok-ryang let out an involuntary sigh. Of course, it was one of admiration.
"'It could happen. What's wrong with bringing home a child from outside? A new granddaughter—how wonderful, heh heh heh.' That would be the strange part, right?"
When these words followed one after another, he nearly burst into laughter, forgetting they were hiding.
"Kh-hm. Heh."
Under Baek Ri-paehyeok's sharp gaze, he quickly schooled his expression.
Baek Ri-paehyeok spoke in a deeply sullen tone.
"Do you find this situation amusing?"
"How could I? Ahem, the concerns we had seem to have resolved fortunately, so shall we go now?"
Jang Seok-ryang worried that Baek Ri-gang might head straight to the matriarch. That was why he'd dragged along Baek Ri-paehyeok, who hadn't wanted to eavesdrop in the first place. But since it had resolved in an unexpected way, there was no need to skulk around like petty thieves any longer.
Baek Ri-paehyeok swept out of the room, his robes billowing. Jang Seok-ryang hurried after him.
After walking in silence for a long while, Baek Ri-paehyeok suddenly asked,
"Do you think that child's words are right?"
"Shall I speak frankly?"
Reading the intent from just Baek Ri-paehyeok's gaze, Jang Seok-ryang answered honestly.
"Yes."
"……"
"I'm speaking frankly, as you asked."
"It's the words of a mere six-year-old child."
"That's why it's all the more impressive. The child has an astonishing eye for situations. Her thoughts run deep, and she has such filial piety toward her father. When she asked questions in the central hall with those bright, sparkling eyes, even I felt like I'd been struck on the head."
Jang Seok-ryang's voice grew more impassioned as he spoke. Baek Ri-paehyeok twisted his lips.
"It seems you've taken quite a liking to Yeon-i."
"Haha, I have a granddaughter about Yeon-i's age myself. That child wails at the slightest trip and stumble, needing her wet nurse, nanny, and even her father to console her before she stops."
Baek Ri-paehyeok also thought of another granddaughter the same age as Baek Ri-yeon. He didn't want to compare, but he couldn't help shaking his head.
The spirit that trembled under his deliberately unleashed intimidating aura yet never averted her eyes. The boldness to firmly declare she didn't need the coveted Heavenly Mandate Golden Core Pill that everyone desired.
He didn't want to admit it, but she reminded him of Baek Ri-gang. And Baek Ri-gang was the son he cherished most……
The scales in his heart began to tip.
Jang Seok-ryang continued.
"Like father, like daughter. It's truly a shame. If only Baek Ri-gang were ten years older……"
"Enough nonsense!"
At Baek Ri-paehyeok's sharp rebuke, Jang Seok-ryang swiftly bowed low, saying, "I spoke out of turn."
Baek Ri-paehyeok spoke in a somewhat softened tone.
"The Baek Ri Clan is still a castle of sand. We must not stir up needless discord within the family!"
Though mentioned among the Ten Great Clans, this prestige held only as long as Baek Ri-paehyeok, one of the Eleven Heavenly Strong of the world, remained as patriarch. It couldn't yet compare to clans like the Namgung or Jeon-gal, which had firmly held their positions even before the term "Ten Great Clans" arose. No, those were separately called the Five Great Clans, apart from the Baek Ri Clan.
To maintain this position, the Baek Ri Clan needed a solid foundation unshakable at least until the next generation. If internal strife broke out now, the name "Ten Great Clans" would become an empty title for just one generation.
They couldn't allow that.
Jang Seok-ryang glanced at Baek Ri-paehyeok's expression and bowed deeply.
"So please look upon her with mercy. Hasn't the Fourth Young Master always honored your will, respecting his eldest brother and never visiting the Second Madam?"
They had arrived at their destination. Standing before the door, Jang Seok-ryang murmured,
"Besides, what wrong could a young child have done?"
"……Let's go in first."
Baek Ri-paehyeok pushed open the door and entered the room.
In the serene chamber with one wall opened wide to the view, a graying middle-aged man was being served tea.
"Physician Seok."
"You've arrived."
"I've kept you waiting too long."
Baek Ri-paehyeok took a seat opposite Physician Seok. Physician Seok set down his teacup and said,
"It's fine. The tea was so good, I lost track of time."
"I heard you like white tea, so I had it specially prepared. If it suits you, take some with you when you leave."
"I'd be grateful if you did."
With that, Baek Ri-paehyeok silently sipped his tea. Sensing the moment, Jang Seok-ryang spoke up.
"……How is her condition?"
At Jang Seok-ryang's question, Physician Seok looked puzzled. He was of advanced age and had served in the imperial court. Just from hearing about the circumstances before and after Baek Ri-yeon's collapse, he'd grasped how she was treated in this household.
The neglected granddaughter of the Baek Ri Clan.
Yet the patriarch himself came to inquire about her condition? This wasn't just for show, asking him to examine her to save face?
Physician Seok gazed out at the expansive garden.
"It's been about a month since she fell into qi deviation and awoke, correct?"
"Yes."
"And the child walked here alone from her quarters to the central hall in the main compound?"
"Ahem, yes. That's right."
"Hm…… The child's endurance is remarkable."
"Is it that serious?"
"I can't imagine how she managed to kneel like that. It must have been excruciating."
It was as if to say, You made a sick child kneel on a cold floor and expected her to be fine?
Jang Seok-ryang, pricked by conscience, cleared his throat.
"Ahem. Her face was pale, but she seemed so composed that I thought she was okay."
The more he spoke, the more pathetic it sounded. Jang Seok-ryang quickly changed the subject.
"So, can she be treated?"
"Surviving qi deviation at all is heavenly luck. She's still young, so with time and care, she can live a normal life. Though she'll be prone to minor ailments."
In other words, don't expect too much.
Jang Seok-ryang already knew this. Still, fresh regret washed over him.
Then Baek Ri-paehyeok spoke.
"There's the Heavenly Mandate Golden Core Pill."
"The Heavenly Mandate Golden Core Pill?"
Physician Seok, who had been calmly composed, showed surprise.
"Could that restore her dantian?"
The answer came immediately.
"I don't know."
"……"
"I've never heard of such a case. It is an extraordinary elixir, no doubt. If she takes it, her current internal injuries would certainly heal. She'd probably be healthier than most."
Physician Seok paused briefly before speaking firmly.
"But regenerating a dantian shattered to pieces like this is another matter entirely."
"Then, in your opinion, what are the odds of recovery?"
"Less than ten percent."
"Just that much?"
"There are no cases of treatment with medicine. As far as I know, there's only one instance of a qi cripple being cured."
Jang Seok-ryang sighed.
"The Divine Physician!"
"Yes."
The Divine Physician was a healer whose medical skills had reached the divine realm. His tale of curing a qi cripple was legendary.
"But the Divine Physician……"
Jang Seok-ryang glanced at Baek Ri-paehyeok.
He had vanished from the world over a decade ago. And upon disappearing, he had sworn to heaven and earth never to involve himself with murim folk again.
"……"
Impossible.
The moment the firm declaration hit, Baek Ri-paehyeok felt a profound regret. And he was startled to feel such an emotion.
After some brief small talk, Baek Ri-paehyeok left Physician Seok's room and turned to Jang Seok-ryang.
"……Call Chief Steward Go."
Jang Seok-ryang beamed and clasped his hands in a respectful salute.
"An excellent idea."